Student Support, Career & Education Services

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has information and guidance on precautions schools can take to prevent the spread of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)., a virulent, drug-resistant strain of bacteria that recently killed students in New York, Virginia, New Hampshire, and Mississippi and infected many more. Precautionary steps include: washing hands thoroughly with soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizer; covering cuts and scrapes and keeping wounds clean until healed; avoiding contact with others' wounds or bandages; and avoiding sharing towels, razors and other personal items in school gyms and locker rooms.